The Office of the Provost is committed to an ongoing, comprehensive plan to continuously and formally review programs and the overall structure and alignment of instruction and research at Drexel, ensuring relevance, quality, and measurable achievement. This process is being overseen by the Program Alignment and Review (PAR) Committee, appointed by the Provost. The PAR Committee members represent faculty, deans, and staff from across the university. They work closely with faculty and students from units under review. A robust, cyclical and evidence driven PAR system ensures that all programs and courses integrate with, align with, and support the Drexel Student Learning Priorities (DSLP's). The DSLP's send a powerful signal to students, parents, faculty and staff that Drexel University is committed to producing graduates who are broadly educated and capable in ways that contribute to lifelong logical habits of mind, professional competence, and a continuous commitment to learning.

Purpose

Drexel University’s Program Alignment and Review Process (PAR) is designed to be both reflective and analytical. Its purpose is to promote the continuous quality improvement and alignment of academic programs through a process that is reflective of Drexel’s mission and is faculty-directed, collegial, data-driven and produces clear plans of action.

What is alignment?

A study of Program Alignment considers how academic programs are assigned to colleges and units across the University and their relationship with other related or complementary programs. Alignment considerations are important as academic study and research becomes more interdisciplinary and interdependent.

What is Program Review?

Program Review at Drexel is designed to assess program quality, viability, and facilitate appropriate program improvement. Academic Program Review also assists in achieving the best use of institutional resources both human and financial. Program Review considers:

• The quality of educational programs, including an assessment of student outcomes.
• The quality of research, creative activity, or scholarly work.
• The quality of outreach activities and service to the university, the profession, and the community.
• The contribution or importance of the program to other campus programs.
• The viability, potential and future expectations for the program.

A robust, cyclical and evidence driven PAR system will ensure that all programs and courses integrate with, map to and support the Drexel Student Learning Priorities [DSLP] which represent the University's focus on a holistic approach to the teaching, learning and personal growth of its students.